Innovation is in our DNA. It is a prerequisite for continued growth. We are committed to ‘Industry 4.0’, the so-called fourth industrial revolution, in which we continue to push the boundaries of steel making. Industry 4.0 will further fundamentally change the way we work in the coming years. We have all the assets required to be at the forefront of innovation: highly qualified employees, high-tech installations, and highly automated processes. In addition, we are working with various research centers within the ArcelorMittal group and the educational world to develop new steel grades and new types of coatings.
Industry 4.0 as our mindset for becoming the 'steel plant of the future'
3D printing as a strong example of Industry 4.0
For several years now, a fully automated welding installation has been in operation at our site. The welding installation gives new life to worn or repairable parts by means of advanced automation of welding technology.
We also have a 3D printer that can print metal, stainless steel, and high-strength steel. The installation is operated by ‘TheSteelPrinters’. The company, a joint venture with ArcelorMittal, was established at the end of 2018 and, since its launch, has expanded considerably with a larger team and several printers. 3D printers were also installed at ArcelorMittal Avilés (Spain) and Dunkirk (France).
Collaboration with the educational world
At ArcelorMittal Belgium, 685 engineers are at work in production or maintenance, or in IT, automation, engineering, or research and development, whether or not in an international environment. They develop mathematical models to improve business processes, industrialize new products, improve the metallurgical quality of steel products, refine the production process, and coordinate maintenance and automation projects, among many other things.
Cooperation agreement between Ghent University and ArcelorMittal Belgium renewed for 5 years
On February 8, 2022, the framework agreement between Ghent University and ArcelorMittal Belgium was renewed for a period of five years. This framework agreement, established in 2016, is aimed at long-term cooperation between the two parties, with a focus on knowledge sharing, training, research, and development.
Both partners are science and technology engines in Flanders and far beyond and, with this extension, want to continue to play a role in sustainable innovation and talent development. As a major player in the steel sector, ArcelorMittal Belgium is continuously innovating and automating its production process, but also developing the latest generation of steel products. The transformation of steel production into a carbon-neutral activity is the most important challenge for the coming decades, and the strengthening of cooperation will contribute to this, both by participating in innovative research activities and by intensifying efforts to have graduates of Ghent University find their way to ArcelorMittal Belgium.
The past five years have led to several bilateral and multilateral research projects and several doctoral studies. Various topics such as material efficiency, energy optimization, big data, well-being at work, and the elaboration of a CO2 roadmap towards carbon neutrality are part of R&D. These initiatives reinforce the attractiveness of the steel industry and ArcelorMittal Belgium and show that Ghent University highly values research and innovation with a social added value.
The University of Ghent considers it very important that students already during their studies think about the real industrial needs and complex issues of our society and economy. By extending this cooperation, ArcelorMittal Belgium wants to guarantee the necessary influx of new insights and motivated knowledge workers into the future.
ArcelorMittal Belgium employs nearly 700 engineers; masters in industrial sciences and masters in engineering sciences as well as masters from various disciplines: economics, computer science, exact sciences, etc. Just over half studied at Ghent University. At ArcelorMittal, we are committed to reducing our CO2 emissions in Europe by 35% by 2030 compared to 2018 and to being carbon neutral by 2050. In order to achieve these objectives, several state-of-the-art projects are being launched in parallel. To further build our climate-neutral future, we are looking for bioengineers, civil engineers, and many other profiles. It is clear that Ghent University is an important source of new talent for ArcelorMittal Belgium.
Manfred Van Vlierberghe (CEO ArcelorMittal Belgium): “ArcelorMittal Belgium aims to build a better world with smarter steels. Steel made using innovative processes that consume less energy and emit significantly less carbon. Steels that are used to produce electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels. Ghent University shares this same passion for innovation and sustainability. The continuation of this unique cooperation will give a significant boost to value creation through innovation. A win-win situation for both parties.”
Master's thesis awards for engineering and industrial sciences students
In 2022 and 2023, we awarded master's thesis awards to (bio-)engineering, economic, and industrial sciences students. In several fields of study, we awarded up to three prizes, each worth €1,500. All master's theses with an engineering subject submitted to Ghent University and the Catholic University of Leuven were considered eligible, but especially those master's theses that made an excellent contribution to innovating or improving one or more of the following topics:
- automation of processes,
- efficient use of energy,
- technological and economic use of material.
Collaboration with research and development
OCAS
Our ArcelorMittal site in Ghent has maintained a close collaboration with the OCAS research center for many years. OCAS is a market-oriented research center that offers metal-based solutions and result-oriented services to metal producing and processing companies worldwide.
OCAS anticipates its customers' needs by developing alloys and coatings, producing and testing samples, and co-developing steel applications. OCAS is equipped with state-of-the-art R&D tools and facilities in its laboratories in Zelzate and Zwijnaarde (Belgium). The research center valorizes know-how through product and solution development and has a highly qualified team of over 150 researchers and engineers with an international orientation.
In 2021, OCAS and ArcelorMittal Belgium initiated an intensified collaboration regarding employer branding, proactive workforce planning, and employee potential sharing. The HR and communication departments of both OCAS and ArcelorMittal Belgium jointly defined an action plan to meet these goals.
Unique recruitment event at ArcelorMittal Gent sparks interest among 200 applicants
A unique recruitment event called JobFest took place at ArcelorMittal Belgium in Ghent on November 28, November 29, and December 2, 2023. JobFest aims to acquaint job applicants with the company, the high-tech installations, but of course also with the passionate employees in an informal way. The guests of this job-fest therefore got a tasty cocktail of exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and a ‘meet & greet’ with possible new colleagues & HR. All this in a festival jacket, graced by musical talents from various production departments of the company.
Refer-A-Friend, own employees as passionate ambassadors
Employees who are already working at the company and know someone who is also interested in working at ArcelorMittal could register together with their Refer-A-Friend candidate. This allowed them to proudly show their own workplace behind the scenes and enjoy the live music together. These employees also received a bonus if their candidate has been working for 6 months. Own employees prove to be excellent ambassadors of the company, already more than 50 colleagues come together with an acquaintance, friend or family member to discover the open jobs.
To make JobFest such a success, colleagues from the production departments and the HR department joined forces and the concept was further developed together. Cooperation and collegiality have been trump cards of the ArcelorMittal Belgium team for years, as this successful event once again shows.
